This study involves research on political attitudes. Participation in the study is entirely voluntary. There are no known risks associated with this study. Subjects may choose to end participation at any point in the study. Any personal information collected in this study is kept strictly confidential by the research team and no published reports will provide any identifying information. The study takes approximately 30 minutes to complete on average. By clicking next below, you acknowledge that you have read this statement and agree to participate.

Are you currently 18 years of age or older?

Yes

No

Are you registered to vote?

Yes, I am registered

No, I am not registered

Don't know

Refuse to answer

In 2008 Barack Obama ran on the Democratic ticket against John McCain for the Republicans. Which candidate did you vote for in that election?

Barack Obama

John McCain

Other

I did not vote but was old enough to vote

I was not old enough to vote

Don't recall

Refuse to answer

Please specify for whom you voted.

Do you plan to vote in the 2010 Congressional midterm general election in November?

Yes, I plan to vote

No, I do not plan to vote

I have not decided whether to vote

Refuse to answer

When you vote do you usually get a feeling of satisfaction from it, or do you only do it because it's your duty?

Feel satisfied

Because of duty

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statement: If I do not vote, I feel like less of an American.

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somwehat disagree

Strongly disagree

Refuse to answer

We hear a lot of talk these days about liberals and conservatives. Here is a seven-point scale on which the political views that people might hold are arranged from extremely liberal to extremely conservative. Where would you place yourself and the following politicians on this scale?

Extremely Liberal

Liberal

Slightly Liberal

Moderate

Slightly Conservative

Conservative

Extremely Conservative

Don't Know

Refuse to Answer

Yourself

John McCain

Barack Obama

George W. Bush

Bill Clinton

If you had to choose, would you consider yourself a liberal or a conservative?

Liberal

Conservative

Moderate

Don't know

Refuse to answer

In your opinion, what is the single most important problem facing the United States today?

Some people don't pay much attention to politics. How about you? Would you say that you have been very interested, somewhat interested or not very interested in politics in the last 12 months?

Very interested

Somewhat interested

Not very interested

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Some people say they do not have the ability to understand politics. How about you? Would you say you are very confident, somewhat confident, or not very confident in your ability to understand politics?

Very confident

Somewhat confident

Not very confident

Refuse to answer

Some people say that political leaders and institutions are not responsive to citizens. How about you? Would you say political leaders and institutions are very responsive, somewhat responsive, or not very responsive to citizens?

Very responsive

Somewhat responsive

Not very responsive

Refuse to answer

Some people say that no matter who people vote for, it won’t make any difference to what happens. How about you? Would you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the idea that who you vote for makes no difference to what happens?

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

How often do you discuss politics with your family and friends?

Almost every day

Three or four times a week

Once or twice a week

Less often than once a week

Never

Refuse to answer

Have you ever...

Yes

No

Donated money to a political campaign?

Volunteered for a community organization?

Participated in a political protest?

Visisted a candidate's website?

Attended a campaign rally or other campaign event?

Written an e-mail or letter to a politician?

Given money to a charitable cause?

Volunteered for a political campaign?

Attended a community festival?

Have you ever...

Yes

No

Considered running for political office?

Considered working for a politician in a paid or volunteer position?

Been told by family that you should run for political office?

Been told by friends that you should run for political office?

Been told by co-workers that you should run for political office?

Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or something else?

Republican

Democrat

Independent

Other

No preference

Would you call yourself a strong Democrat or a not very strong Democrat?

Strong

Not very strong

Don't know

Would you call yourself a strong Republican or a not very strong Republican?

Strong

Not very strong

Don't know

Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or closer to the Democratic party?

Republican

Neither

Democratic

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Some people think the government should provide fewer services, even in areas such as health and education, in order to reduce spending. Other people feel it is important for the government to provide many more services even if it means an increase in spending. And of course, other people have opinions somewhere in between. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?

1 - Provide many more services

2

3

4 - Keep services at current level

5

6

7 - Provide many fewer services

Haven't given it much thought

Some people feel the government in Washington should see to it that every person has a job and a good standard of living. Others think the government should just let each person get ahead on their own. And of course, other people have opinions somewhere in between. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?

1 - Government should see to jobs/good living standard

2

3

4

5

6

7 - Each person should get ahead on their own

Haven't given it much thought

As you know, in our tax system people who earn a lot of money have to pay higher rates of income tax than those who earn less. Some people think that those with high incomes should pay even more of their income in taxes than they do now. Others think that the rates shouldn't be different at all -- that everyone should pay the same portion of their income, no matter how much they make. And of course, other people have opinions somewhere in between. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?

1 - Increase tax rates for high income

2

3

4 - Keep tax rates as they are now

5

6

7 - Have the same tax rate for everyone

Haven't given it much thought

Present governmental regulations with regard to pollution and other environmental problems limit full use of some energy and mineral resources. Do you think the government should relax environmental protection regulations to increase the use of these resources, or should the government make regulations tougher, even though this might increase the cost of energy and other products? Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?

1 - Make regulations tougher

2

3

4 - Keep regulations unchanged

5

6

7 - Relax regulations a lot

Haven't given it much thought

Some people feel that the ownership of firearms should be severely limited, while others feel the 2nd Amendment should be interpreted to mean that there should be virtually no limits on gun ownership. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?

1 - There should be very strict limits on gun ownership

2

3

4

5

6

7 - There should be virtually no limits on gun ownership

Haven't given it much thought

Some people feel that school vouchers help kids escape failing public school while forcing those schools to improve performance or risk losing all funding, while others feel vouchers take money away from the public schools that are in most need of additional funding. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?

1 - Vouchers help kids escape failing schools and force those schools to shape up

2

3

4

5

6

7 - Vouchers take money away from public schools that need the money most of all

Haven't given it much thought

There is much concern about the rise in medical and hospital costs, and over the fact that many people do not have health insurance. Some feel that there should be a government insurance plan which would cover all medical and hospital costs. Others feel that medical expenses should be paid by individuals, and through private insurance like Blue Cross. And some people feel government should provide subsidies to help people buy private insurance plans. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?

1 - Government insurance plan

2

3

4 - Government subsidies for private insurance

5

6

7 - Private insurance plans

Haven't given it much thought

Some people feel that the government in Washington should make every possible effort to improve the social and economic position of blacks and other minority groups, even if it means giving them preferential treatment. Others feel that the government should not make any special effort to help minorities because they should help themselves. Still others take positions in the middle of this issue. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?

1 - Government help for minorities

2

3

4

5

6

7 - Minorities should help themselves

Haven't given it much thought

There has been a great deal of talk lately about the question of same sex couples. Which statement below best describes your position on gay marriage?

Same-sex couples should have full marriage rights as all other couples.

Same-sex couples should enjoy similar rights as married couples, but it should not be called marriage.

I oppose same-sex marriage but see no reason to amend the Constitution to ban it.

Marriage should be defined as being between a man and a women only and no other legal arrangement should be allowed.

Haven't given it much thought

For each of the following federal programs and agencies, indicate whather you would like to see spending increased or decreased:

Increased

Kept about the same

Decreased

Cut entirely

Don't know

Head Start

Foreign aid

Department of Justice

Tightening border security

Department of State

Department of Defense

Federal student loans

Medicare

Read each item carefully. Using the scale shown below, please the option that best describes YOU.

Definitely false

Mostly false

Somewhat false

Slightly false

Slightly true

Somewhat true

Mostly true

Definitely true

I can think of many ways to get out of a jam.

I energentically pursue my goals.

I feel tired most of the time.

There are lots of ways around any problem.

I am easily downed in an argument.

I can think of many ways to get the things in life that are most important to me.

I worry about my health.

Even when others get discouraged, I know I can find a way to solve the problem.

My past experiences have prepared me well for my future.

I've been pretty successful in life.

I usually find myself worrying about something.

I meet the goals that I set for myself.

We are nearly complete now. We would like to conclude by asking a few standard questions about yourself.

Do you consider religion to be an important part of your life, or not?

Important

Not important

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Would you say you religion provides some guidance in your day-to-day living, quite a bit of guidance, or a great deal of guidance in your day-to-day life?

Some

Quite a bit

A great deal

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Lots of things come up that keep people from attending religious services even if they want to. Thinking about your life these days, do you ever attend religious services, apart from occasional weddings, baptisms or funerals?

Yes

No

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Do you go to religious services every week, almost every week, once or twice a month, a few times a year, or never?

Every week

Almost every week

Once or twice a month

A few times a year

Never

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Would you say you go to religious services once a week or more often than once a week?

Once a week

More often than once a week

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Regardless of whether you now attend any religious services do you ever think of yourself as part of a particular church or denomination?

Yes

No

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Do you mostly think of yourself as Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish or something else?

Protestant

Catholic

Jewish

Other

Don't know

Refuse to answer

What church or denomination is that?

Please specify.

With which Baptist group is your church associated?

Southern Baptist Convention

American Baptist Churches in USA

American Baptist Association

Independent Baptist

Other

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please Specify.

Are you affiliated with any larger Baptist group or is this strictly a local church?

Larger Baptist group

Local

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please specify which larger Baptist group.

Is this church part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Missouri Synod, or some other Lutheran group?

Evangelical Lutheran Church

Missouri Synod

Other

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please specify.

Is your church part of the United Methodist Church, African Methodist Episcopal, or some other Methodist group?

United Mehodist Church

African Methodist Episcopal

Other

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please specify.

Is this the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. or some other Presbyterian group?

Presbyterian Church US (formerly United Presbyterian Church)

Other

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please specify.

Is this the Christian Reformed Church, the Reformed Church in America or some other Reformed group?

Christian Reformed Church

The Reformed Church in America

Other

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please specify.

Is this the church of the Brethren, the Plymouth Brethren, or some other group?

Church of the Brethren

The Plymouth Brethren

Other

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please specify.

When you say "Christian" does that mean the denomination called the "Christian Church Disciples of Christ," or some other Christian denomination, or do you mean to say "I am just a Christian?"

Disciples of Christ

I am just a Christian

Other

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please specify.

Is this the Church of Christ or the United Church of Christ?

Church of Christ

United Church of Christ

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Is this the Church of God of Anderson, Indiana; the Church of God of Cleveland, Tennessee; the Church of God in Christ; or some other Church of God?

Anderson, Indiana

Cleveland, Tennessee

Church of God in Christ

Other

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please specify.

What kind of church is that?

What is it called exactly?

Is that part of a larger church or denomination?

Do you usually attend a synagogue or temple that is Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or another type?

Orthodox

Conservative

Reform

Other

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please Specify

What is your age?

Less than 18 years of age

18 to 29 years of age

30 to 44 years of age

45 to 65 years of age

66 years of age or older

What is the highest grade of school or college that you have completed?

Did not graduate from high school

High school graduate

Some college

Two year college degree (Associates)

Bachelor's degree

Post-graduate degree

Please look at the list of income ranges below and select the one that includes the income of all members of your family living with you in 2010 before taxes. This figure should include salaries, wages, tips, pensions, dividends, interest, and all other income.

$0 - $14,999

$15,000 - $29,999

$30,000 - $44,999

$45,000 - $59,999

$60,000 - $74,999

$75,000 - $89,999

$90,000 and above

What best describes your relationship status?

Married and living with spouse

Currently in a domestic partnership

Never married or in a domestic partnership

Separated or not now in a domestic partnership

Divorced

Widowed

Refuse to answer

Are you a citizen of the United States?

Yes, by birth

Yes, naturalized

No

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Were your parents born in this country?

Yes, both

Only my father

Only my mother

Neither were born in this country

Don't know

Refuse to answer

What racial or ethnic group or groups best describe you?

Black

Asian

Native American

Hispanic or Latino

White, non-Hispanic

Other

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please specify.

Which category best describes your Hispanic origin?

Mexican

Puerto Rican

Cuban

Latin American

Central American

Spanish

Other

Don't know

Refuse to answer

Please specify.

If you identify with more than one racial or ethnic group, with which one do you most closely identify?

What is your sex?

Male

Female

Refuse to answer

Finally, we would like to ask you to answer five political knowledge questions. Unlike all the previous questions, these have correct answers. We ask that you do not look up answers to these questions online until after you have completed and submitted the study.

Do you happen to know which political party currently has the most members in the United States House of Representatives?

Democratic Party

Republican Party

Libertarian Party

Green Party

Don't know

Do you happen to know who was the most recent Secretary of State before Hillary Clinton?

Condoleeza Rice

Colin Powell

Donald Rumsfeld

David Petreus

Other

Don't know

How many times has the United States formally declared war in its history?

When was the last time that the United States formally declared war?

World War II

Vietnam War

Korean War

Operation Desert Storm (1992)

Operation Iraqi Freedom (2002)

Other

Don't know

Which of the following countries are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council? (Check all that apply).

Australia

Brazil

Canada

China

France

Germany

Iran

Israel

Japan

Nigeria

Russian Federation

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

Switzerland

United Kingdom

United States

None of these are permanent members

Are you now or were you in the past year a student of Knox College?

Yes

No

You are eligible to be entered in a drawing for a prize of $50 if you have completed this survey by the 19th of June. What is your student ID number?

What is your e-mail address?

The researchers may conduct follow up studies. if you would like to be contacted to participate in a follow-up study, please enter your e-mail below: